Sandpoint: Take 2

There is always more to the story. When I went up to Sandpoint in the middle of July for a pre-Labor Day weekend Funky Junk Show visit and to do the Seven Things to Do In Sandpoint (written by Serena of The Farm Chicks; Country Living June 2010), I "scheduled" some of the time to be side trips. When a junker is traveling, there is always somewhere else to stop, explore, discover. And that I did.

Fueled with my chocolate Top Pot Donut and Vanilla Bean Frappachino, I took Hwy. 2 through Newport, mostly to shop, I mean stop, at one of my favorite stores, Shanty. It's on the main road as you wind your way through town. Maggie at Shanty has created an oasis of gifts, clothes, jewelery, coffee and bakery snacks worth the drive. I left one of our posters there, but I also shopped~it's part of my job, really~and left with a really cute ring. And with a little something I'd been wanting to try for awhile, a bag of Feed The Soul chocolate potato chips. And yes, there are as yummy as they sound!! (Thanks to Ginger for creating such a delectable treat!). After leaving Shanty, I headed over the bridge to Priest River, Idaho and to one of my other must stop places on the way: Into The Garden, Up To The Lake. It's open seasonally and Elaine, the friendly owner, has created a cute "lake cabin" of a store, filled with artsy and vintage treasures, inside and out. I love the metal can "flowers", and just enjoy walking through the inside and outside areas she has cultivated. While I was there I was lucky enough to meet Mandy, who makes the awesome furniture out of reclaimed wood and metal that is sold there~so talented! I wish I had had room to take home to the yellow chair set for my yard. Elaine mentioned to me that there was another store I needed to check out back in Newport, and the timing was perfect. So, I drove back over the bridge to find Sweet Salvage. Oh how sweet it is! Just past the corner of Spokane and 3rd Street (501 3rd.) is an adorable store front that draws you into a "ahh" inducing space. Shannon has filled it with finds you want to take home, awesome cement furniture pieces crafted by her talented boyfriend, and all styled in an easy magazine layout way that makes you feel like you too could live that way. I cannot wait to get back there! I did manage to narrow down my choices to a pretty vintage costume pearl bracelet. Thanks for the great shopping experience and conversation, Sweet Salvage Shannon!

I left Newport and Priest River brimming with inspiration, and ready for the next leg of my journey. When I arrived in Sandpoint, Jennifer, my business partner, her husband Nathan, and their new baby Glenn met me with hugs and ideas of extra places we could visit. So we left Sandpoint over the Long Bridge and went to the Sagle Senior Thrift Store off of Hwy. 95, which is where I found one of my favorite junking finds of the weekend. A little junking under our belt, we worked on Serena's list, and some of Jennifer's, too. Downtown Sandpoint boasts many fun, local shops and boutiques worth a peek. Since we'd just been at the beach, we took a break before we shopped and had a cool snack at the Udderly Cultured frozen yogurt shop. Really nice owners and really yummy frozen choices! we took a minute to visit McDuff's where I really need to eat next time, and to check out some of the cool bikes at the bike shop. Next was one of our favorite stores; Zany Zebra, across the street from the Panida. I usually find enough Blue-Q bags to suit my fancy, cute clothes, fun kitschy gifts, and this time a chunky bracelet for only two dollars. What's not to like?! Jennifer and Nathan introduced to me to the cool, classy Coldwater Creek wine bar above the store. Such a modern rustic place to chill out or warm up depending on the season and your mood.

We waved goodbye to downtown and headed northeast of town toward Jennifer and Nathan's home. They were kind enough to indulge my junking needs and took me to the local animal shelter Thrift Shop. It felt really good to do good while I was junking. And of course, I found good junk! Patient baby Glenn had put in a long day as Funky Junk mascot, so we headed to his home for dinner and a walk around their property. Jennifer and Nathan are fortunate enough to live on her family's property and have made it a cozy, peaceful, welcoming place to be. Jennifer and I took time amidst our Funky Junk International meeting to have Christmas In July. A new tradition begun this year because, well, simply, we hadn't opened our Christmas gifts from one another yet. We had fun catching up until late, and I had fun looking at all of the treasures and finds in their home.

The next morning while the Wood family recovered from being terrific hosts and tour guides, I took my breakfast at a local spot, The Hoot Owl. For a taste of Sandpoint flavor, you can't beat this diner, located on Hwy. 200~conviently on the way to Oden Hall Grange, our Labor Day show home! Tummy full of my huge breakfast, I couldn't resist junking on the way to my destination. I took a minute to stop by Oden Hall Grange, off of Hwy. 200, on Sunnyside Rd. I caught a beautiful view of Oden Bay, Sandpoint is a place full of great views.

After a morning full of adventure, it was time to head home. I took Hwy. 95 out of Sandpoint toward Spokane, but found a way to stop at a hideaway antique store in Sagle, just down the road from where we held our second show. It was filled was hard to come by finds, many from the Midwest. I'll be stopping by there again for sure to visit. I had to get on the road, but again was sidetracked by a fun antique shop off of Hwy. 95, The Rickety Rocker near Cocolalla. I quite enjoyed the proprieter and her collection of finds, another place to work into my traveling schedule!

I know there are many other places to visit to shop, eat, play and rest next time and then the next time again when I head to Sandpoint; I hope you find your adventure to the land of the fall Funky Junk show just as amazing as I did!

~Hollie
Funky Junk Antique Show & Crafts Market
Labor Day Weekend; Saturday & Sunday
September 4th & 5th, 2010
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
134 Sunnyside Rd. (just off of Hwy. 200; 7 miles NE of Sandpoint)
$2 admission; good both days~12 and under free
http://www.funkyjunkantiqueshow.com